Pilot Union Opposes FAA Approval of Rainmaker’s Drone-Based Cloud Seeding

Pilot Union Challenges FAA on Rainmaker’s Drone Cloud-Seeding Proposal

Rainmaker Technology’s initiative to deploy cloud-seeding flares via small drones faces opposition from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which has urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reject the startup’s exemption request unless stricter safety standards are met.

The FAA’s decision will be pivotal in determining regulatory acceptance of weather modification using unmanned aerial systems, with Rainmaker’s plan currently under close scrutiny.

Union Cites Safety Risks, FAA Requests Additional Information

ALPA argues that Rainmaker’s petition does not demonstrate an equivalent safety level to existing aviation standards and presents an “extreme safety risk.” The union’s objections focus on unclear flight altitudes, insufficient airspace coordination, and hazards related to the use of flares.

Rainmaker seeks an exemption from FAA rules prohibiting small drones from carrying hazardous materials, proposing to use two types of flares on its Elijah quadcopter to disperse precipitation-inducing particles. The Elijah drone is designed to operate up to 15,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), overlapping controlled airspace frequented by commercial aircraft. Operations within this airspace require Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance.

In its petition, Rainmaker states operations will primarily occur in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace unless otherwise authorized. ALPA contends the filing lacks clarity on specific flight locations and altitudes, although Rainmaker’s CEO Augustus Doricko notes that more detailed safety and operational data were submitted confidentially to the FAA, including pre-approved flight zones deemed safe by aviation authorities.

Environmental and Operational Concerns Raised

The pilots’ union also questions the environmental impact and fire safety of the flares, highlighting the absence of trajectory modeling for ejectable flare casings and environmental analysis of the chemical agents used.

Responding to these points, Doricko referenced decades of environmental studies by the EPA and state agencies, which have found no adverse effects from cloud seeding materials. He emphasized that Rainmaker’s operations disperse minimal quantities of silver iodide—far less than pollutants emitted by typical commercial flights.

Rainmaker Emphasizes Safety Measures and Collaboration

Sam Kim, Rainmaker’s aviation regulatory manager, expressed respect for the pilots’ union and a desire to strengthen relations but criticized the objection as stemming from a misunderstanding of the exemption’s purpose. He clarified that flare use is limited to controlled research flights and not part of routine operations.

Doricko further outlined comprehensive safety protocols, including coordination with local ATC, certified remote pilots, and collision avoidance systems involving both electronic and human observers. Flights are planned over rural areas and private properties with established agreements, minimizing risks to populated zones.

Context: Cloud Seeding and Drone Innovation

Cloud seeding, a practice dating back to the 1950s, involves dispersing particles—commonly silver iodide—to stimulate precipitation by encouraging ice crystal formation in supercooled clouds. Traditionally conducted by manned aircraft, it supports snowpack enhancement and water resource management, especially in the western United States.

Rainmaker’s approach replaces crewed flights with drones, potentially reducing pilot risk and offering precise control over flight patterns. However, the FAA’s final assessment of the company’s risk mitigations and operational plans will be critical in setting a regulatory precedent for drone-assisted weather modification.

Next Steps

The FAA has yet to issue a ruling, having requested additional operational and safety information from Rainmaker. The agency’s decision will likely influence future policies governing unmanned weather modification technologies.

As of September 13, 2025, this report includes comments from Rainmaker CEO Augustus Doricko and regulatory manager Sam Kim.